There are plenty of monitors to choose from, whether for gaming, streaming content or everyday work at the office. But not all monitors are made equal. While BenQ might not be perceived to be up there with popular brands such as Samsung or LG, the company actually manufactures excellent products at more affordable prices.
A top choice for high-quality visuals is the BenQ PD3220U 32-Inch 4K Monitor. It is compatible with both Windows-based and Apple computers and has precise color-management options. Of course, there are other choices if you want to excel at gaming or are looking for an office workhorse.
BenQ designs a variety of monitors for different tasks.
A few years ago, getting a curved instead of a flat monitor meant forking out more money. As technology becomes more affordable, though, they're roughly the same price. A flat BenQ monitor is best for office work or streaming content. On the other hand, a curved monitor (available in different curve angles) is better suited for video games, as more details fill your peripheral vision.
Another consideration is the technology used to project the Liquid Crystal Display visuals. This is provided through several panel types.
Modern Light Emitting Diode panels also come in different types, with the most common being Edge-Lit LED and Full-Array LED. Advanced panels with better color reproduction and deeper black points are OLED and QLED.
While you might think that going for the biggest monitor is best, that isn’t always the case. First, you must consider the space where you’ll use it. If the display is too big for the area, it can strain your eyes. Similarly, a too-small monitor won’t output at your desired resolution. An excellent middle ground is to look for a BenQ monitor between 24 and 27 inches.
The refresh rate of a monitor isn’t that important if you’re using it for general office work or streaming. But it plays a vital role if your primary activity is video games. The refresh rate, measured in hertz, is how quickly the individual pixels can change color, creating a smoother playing experience. Most video games have a standard 60 frames per second (or 60 hertz), but you’ll get more enjoyment from playing at 120 or 144 frames per second.
Depending on what you're connecting the monitor to, you don’t want to be limited to one connection type. At least one HDMI port is non-negotiable, and it's great if the monitor has a DisplayPort. Older connections such as DVI or VGA are rarely compatible with gaming consoles or modern computers. A USB-C connection is perfect for connecting your monitor to an Apple device.
No matter what you're doing on the monitor, it is important to have the correct color settings and reproduction. HDR is especially crucial for streaming content and video games. It gives you crisper color scales, better contrast between light and shadows, and can accurately mimic the changes in sunlight. Most of BenQ's multimedia and gaming monitors feature HDR.
The average price of a BenQ monitor largely depends on its capabilities and additional functions. A basic monitor with a 1080p display costs $150-$200, but a 32-inch gaming monitor compatible with Apple’s Mac costs $1,000-$1,200.
A. Based in Taiwan, the company was founded in 1984 and operates in more than 100 countries.
A. Yes, the company acquired Zowie Gear in 2015 to form a new gaming division specializing in gaming monitors, mice and other gaming accessories. According to industry statistics, Zowie monitors are used by around 45% of professional esports players.
BenQ PD3220U 32-Inch 4K Monitor
What you need to know: For the best visual experience when streaming content or video games, this 4K monitor has a resolution of 3840 x 2160. You can easily connect two of these monitors together to create an even bigger display.
What you’ll love: The generous 32-inch LED display has a refresh rate of 60 hertz, is wall-mountable and can connect to a Mac computer through a Thunderbolt 3 cable.
What you should consider: It is optimized for graphic designers to have excellent color accuracy, so it’s not the ideal choice for video game players.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
What you need to know: An affordable monitor for everyday use, it has a resolution of 1080p, built-in speakers and a viewing angle of 178 degrees.
What you’ll love: It has a thin edge-to-edge bezel that is perfect for multi-monitor situations, is wall-mountable and has a refresh rate of 60 hertz.
What you should consider: Some users indicated that the speaker quality isn’t as good as you would expect.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
BenQ EX3501R Ultrawide Curved Gaming Monitor
What you need to know: This 34-inch ultrawide monitor has a 21:9 aspect ratio, making the maximum resolution of 3440 x 1440 the best way to work.
What you’ll love: It has a refresh rate of 100 hertz, a 1800R curvature that provides a maximum viewing distance of nearly 6 feet, and thin bezels on three sides. It supports USB-C, HDMI and DisplayPort connections.
What you should consider: It comes at a relatively steep price compared to flat monitors of the same size.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Charlie Fripp writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
